Botanical Potency of Chromolaena odorata Linn (Hagonoy) as Mosquitocidal

Chromolaena odorata Linn is considered an environmental weed that is traditionally used as a treatment of numerous environmental conditions such as wound healing functions and amelioration of inflammation. In this study, Chromolaena odorata linn was discovered as an alternative and natural product of mosquitocide. Based on the results gathered and obtained the stem, leaves, and roots are proven to be effective to use rather than using only one part of the plant. Furthermore, the data gathered shows that it only took a small amount of time to kill the mosquito using all parts of the Chromolaena odorata linn extract. The mosquitocidal activity of Chromolaena odorata linn had shown its potential significance, eco-friendly, and cost-effective with the presence of botanical phytochemicals (alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanin, tannin, and flavonoids) as a source of controlling the mosquito population Keywords: botanical potency, mosquitocidal, chromolaena odorata Linn, mosquitos.

Pretty (and) invasive: The potential global distribution of Tithonia diversifolia under current and future climates

Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) is an invasive plant, native to the New World, and an exemplary conflict species. It has been planted widely for its ornamental and soil fertility enhancement qualities and has become a notorious environmental weed in introduced habitats. Here we use a bioclimatic niche model (CLIMEX) to estimate the potential global distribution of this invasive plant under historical climatic conditions. We apply a future climate scenario to the model to assess the sensitivity of the modelled potential geographical range to expected climate changes to 2050. Under current climatic conditions, there is potential for substantial range expansion into southern Europe with moderate climate suitability, and in southern China with highly suitable climates. Under the near-term future climate scenario there is potential for poleward range expansion in the order of 200 – 500 km. In the tropics, climatic conditions are likely to become less favourable due to the increasing frequency of supra-optimal temperatures. In areas experiencing Mediterranean or warm temperate climates the suitability for T. diversifolia appears set to increase as temperatures warm. There are vast areas in North America, Europe and Asia (particularly China and India) that can support ephemeral populations of T. diversifolia. One means of enjoying the aesthetic benefits of T. diversifolia while avoiding the unwanted environmental impacts as it invades areas prized for environmental attributes is to try to prevent its spread into areas climatically suitable for establishment, and only allow it to be propagated in areas where it cannot persist naturally.

An Overview of the Characteristics and Potential of Calotropis procera From Botanical, Ecological, and Economic Perspectives

Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand. (commonly known as the apple of sodom, calotrope, and giant milkweed) is an evergreen, perennial shrub of the family Apocynaceae, mainly found in arid and semi-arid regions. It is a multipurpose plant, which can be utilized for medicine, fodder, and fuel purposes, timber and fiber production, phytoremediation, and synthesis of nanoparticles. It has been widely used in traditional medicinal systems across North Africa, Middle East Asia, and South-East Asia. At present, it is being extensively explored for its potential pharmacological applications. Several reports also suggest its prospects in the food, textile, and paper industries. Besides, C. procera has also been acknowledged as an ornamental species. High pharmacological potential and socio-economic value have led to the pantropical introduction of the plant. Morpho-physiological adaptations and the ability to tolerate various abiotic stresses enabled its naturalization beyond the introduced areas. Now, it is recognized as an obnoxious environmental weed in several parts of the world. Its unnatural expansion has been witnessed in the regions of South America, the Caribbean Islands, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, Seychelles, and several Pacific Islands. In Australia, nearly 3.7 million hectares of drier areas, including rangelands and Savannahs, have been invaded by the plant. In this review, multiple aspects of C. procera have been discussed including its general characteristics, current and potential uses, and invasive tendencies. The objectives of this review are a) to compile the information available in the literature on C. procera, to make it accessible for future research, b) to enlist together its potential applications being investigated in different fields, and c) to acknowledge C. procera as an emerging invasive species of arid and semi-arid regions.

Youngia japonica (oriental false hawksbeard).

Youngia japonica is a cosmopolitan herb that often grows as an agricultural and environmental weed. Native to temperate and tropical Asia and Australia, it has been introduced in Africa, the Canary Islands, the Americas and many Pacific Islands. It is commonly found in disturbed areas, wastelands, roadsides, abandoned pastures, lawns, cultivated fields and forest margins, but it is also able to penetrate into intact or minimally-disturbed natural areas. This species is a prolific seed producer and its seeds can be easily dispersed by wind and water or as contaminant in soil or crop and grass seeds. Y. japonica is adapted to grow in a wide range of climates and substrates and once it reaches a new area, it grows and spreads very quickly as new seeds are produced copiously.

Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass).

E. crus-galli is a grass species included in the Global Compendium of Weeds (Randall, 2012) and which is considered one of the world's worst weeds. This species has the capability to reduce crop yields and cause forage crops to fail by removing up to 80% of the available soil nitrogen. E. crus-galli is considered the world's worst weed in rice paddies and has been also listed as a weed in at least other 36 crops throughout tropical and temperate regions of the world (Holm et al., 1991). The high levels of nitrates it accumulates can poison livestock. It also acts as a host for several mosaic virus diseases. E. crus-galli is also considered an environmental weed that has become invasive in natural grasslands, coastal forests and disturbed sites in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and America (FAO, 2014; USDA-ARS, 2014).

Eleusine indica (goose grass).

E. indica is primarily listed as an agricultural and environmental weed (Randall, 2012) and is considered a "serious weed" in at least 42 countries (Holm et al., 1979). This species is described as a "dominant weed" especially in farming systems and annual row-crops where it grows vigorously and produces abundant seedlings (Holm et al., 1979). A single plant may produce more than 50,000 small seeds, which can be easily dispersed by wind and water, attached to animal fur and machinery and as a contaminant in soil (Waterhouse, 1993). E. indica invades disturbed habitats in natural areas and the margins of natural forests and grasslands, marshes, stream banks and coastal areas. It is also a common weed along roads, pavements, and powerline corridors (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, 2011). Currently it is listed as invasive in several countries in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean and on many islands in the Pacific Ocean (see Distribution Table for details).

Trifolium angustifolium (narrow-leaf clover).

The narrow-leaf clover Trifolium angustifolium is an annual legume native to central, southern and Eastern Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It has been introduced elsewhere and is valued for forage and pasture improvement. It has become an environmental weed in a few countries such as Australia, Japan and Chile but has not been reported as an aggressive invader. It is included in the IUCN Red List (Least Concern) for its value as a genetic resource for forage legumes.

Anredera baselloides (Madeira vine).

A. baselloides is an invasive succulent vine capable of smothering and destroying native vegetation. Currently, this species is regarded as an environmental weed in the Dominican Republic and as an agricultural weed in Sri Lanka where it is impacting tea plantations (Ranamukhaarachchi et al., 1997). The species has climbing stems which can totally envelop the canopy layer, reducing light penetration and eventually killing the plants beneath and preventing the germination and regeneration of native plants.

Bidens frondosa (beggarticks).

B. frondosa is a herbaceous annual native to North America. It has been introduced widely in Europe and to other parts of the world and is mostly found in temperate climates. The majority of introductions into new countries are intentional, due to the medicinal, herbal and decorative properties ascribed to the species. However, seeds can be accidentally dispersed into new areas as they can adhere firmly to animal fibres such as wool. In Europe B. frondosa has been reported to out compete and interbreed with native plant species in particular those of the same genus. B. frondosa is classified as an environmental weed in New Zealand.

Amaranthus spinosus (spiny amaranth).

A. spinosus is a serious weed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. For instance, it is a troublesome weed in agricultural areas, pastures, and orchards in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Pacific region. In those regions, it is also a serious environmental weed in disturbed sites, secondary forests, along forest edges, and around water troughs (Lemmens and Bunyapraphatsara, 1999; Motooka et al., 2003; PIER, 2015; PROTA, 2015; USDA-ARS, 2015). The plant has large thorns which make it unpalatable for grazing livestock and make weeding difficult in parts of the world where hand weeding and harvest are done by hand. Like other amaranths, it produces large numbers of seeds, which can mature after the plant has been cut, and remain viable for long periods.